Safer Spaces Policy

Safer Spaces at SOS​Over the 5 days at the Students of Sustainability Conference we will be learning, teaching, sharing, eating, sleeping and laughing together.We want to actively create this space as one that is inviting, engaging and supportive, where all people feel comfortable behaving genuinely.

We acknowledge the struggles that so many people face simply to feel entitled to be in a space, or safe in that space, given the prevailing cultures of racism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism and classism under our oppressive economic system.

In a safer space, we are working towards environments that are liberating and nurturing for everyone in them. If we are serious about dismantling these systems in the 'outside' world, then we need to practice dismantling them in our own relationships and communities as well.

In a safer space, we recognise and respect that everyone comes with different experiences. That people come from a variety of cultural and economic backgrounds, with a variety of sexualities, genders and abilities. We approach people openly, without making assumptions. If we are confused about how someone identifies, we ask, and if we are ignorant, we do our research. We respect that not everyone will want to reveal everything about themselves.In a safer space everyone has the right to feel confident to ask for what they need, to take care of themselves, to say no, to ask for space. We are sensitive to other's personal space, boundaries and privacy.

In a safer space everyone is responsible for making sure all voices are heard. Look around. Who feels empowered to contribute, and who doesn't? Can you think of reasons why some people might feel more comfortable talking than others? What could you do to make the space more accessible for someone else? It could be as simple as listening.

Look around again. Who is here? And who is not... Are there barriers to involvement due to the way we organise, the way we relate to each other, the time or the location? Can people with children and jobs attend, people who have financial struggles, people who are geographically isolated, people with physical or psychological differences, people who don't fit into activist youth culture? In a safer space we look for these barriers and seek to dismantle them. However, we recognise that it is not enough to 'include' others in 'our' space, and we seek to engage in meaningful solidarity with other groups.

Given the oppressive systems in which we have all been raised and taught, it would be a miracle if we had not taken on (or internalised) ways of behaving that oppress others and ourselves. In a safer space we will all make mistakes, but when these are drawn to our attention, we try not to get defensive, after all, we are all good people in a harsh world. Everyone should feel confident to speak up when something is not quite right, and anyone being made to feel unsafe deserves the support of their community.

Activist culture can be overwhelming, so let's try and assume the best in each other. The goal is not to police people's language and behaviour, or to 'be the best' at safer spaces, but to support each other in challenging some really ingrained cultural and economic systems.

Of course, there is never an excuse for violence or outright offensive language.